How to end your safari in South Africa with a Gorilla trek in Uganda

How to end your safari in South Africa with a Gorilla trek in Uganda. To end your safari in South Africa with a gorilla trek in Uganda, you will need to plan the logistics to ensure a smooth transition from your safari to the trekking experience. This plan allows you to enjoy your safari in South Africa and end with the unique experience of gorilla trekking in Uganda to meet the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Here’s How to end your safari in South Africa with a Gorilla trek in Uganda:

1. Flight from South Africa to Uganda

• Direct Flights: Book a direct flight from Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo International Airport) to Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. Airlines like Uganda Airlines, South African Airways, and others offer direct options.
• Connections: If direct flights aren’t available, you may find one-stop flights through cities like Nairobi, Addis Ababa, or Kigali.

2. Planning Your Gorilla Trek in Uganda

• Choose Your Trekking Area: Uganda has two main gorilla trekking locations:
  • Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Known for diverse gorilla families and more lodging options.
  • Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Smaller, with one gorilla family but offering a unique and less crowded experience.
• Permit Booking: Gorilla trekking permits are essential and should be booked in advance, especially for Bwindi. Each permit costs about USD $800 for international visitors and $500 For South African Citizens.
• Select Your Trek Type:
  • Regular Trekking: On this Tour you will spend 1 hour encounter with the habituated gorillas during the standard gorilla trekking.
  • Gorilla Habituation Experience: Spend up to four hours with a gorilla family as part of a habituation team (USD $1,500). You will spend 4 hours encounter with the semi-habituated gorillas during the gorilla habituation experience

3. Travel to Bwindi or Mgahinga

• Fly from Entebbe to Kihihi or Kisoro: Take a domestic flight from Entebbe to Kihihi (for northern Bwindi) or Kisoro (for southern Bwindi and Mgahinga). AeroLink and Bar Aviation offer daily flights, and from either airport, you’ll need a transfer to your lodge.
• Drive from Entebbe or Kampala: Alternatively, you can arrange a private road transfer. This scenic drive takes about 8-10 hours.

4. Accommodation and Safari Add-Ons

• Book Accommodation Near Your Trekking Point: Lodges near Bwindi and Mgahinga vary from luxury to budget. Staying closer to your trekking starting point minimizes morning travel time.
• Consider Additional Experiences:
  • Golden Monkey Trekking: In Mgahinga, you can trek to see golden monkeys, offering a unique primate experience.
  • Local Community Visits: Enjoy cultural experiences with Batwa pygmy communities near Bwindi.
  • Lake Bunyonyi: Unwind post-trek with a relaxing stay by Lake Bunyonyi, known for its beautiful islands and serene views.

5. Return to Entebbe and Departure

• After your trek, head back to Entebbe either by domestic flight or road transfer. From Entebbe, book a return flight home or continue onward to another destination.

Summary Itinerary to end your safari in South Africa with a Gorilla trek in Uganda:

• Day 1: Finish the South African safari, fly to Entebbe, Uganda.
• Day 2: Travel to Bwindi for overnight.
• Day 3: Gorilla trekking.
• Day 4: Optional second trek or return to Entebbe.
• Day 5: Depart for your international flight or continue your journey.

What is included in a gorilla trekking Tour.

This Tour includes gorilla permits, accommodation as well as the transport to and from Entebbe or Kigali to Bwindi impenetrable National Park. We prefer assisting with all components of the tour or your holiday so that while travelling with us in Africa, your holiday is stress-free having trusted the experts to do it for you. Let’s look at all individual components of our summer holiday gorilla trekking safari.

Gorilla permit and what is included or excluded

A gorilla permit is a card issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority that allows you to go to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park home to endangered mountain gorillas to have a chance of viewing them for one hour. Gorilla permits are only valid for the date booked and once expired cannot be used. Make sure that you are available on the day of trekking. This gorilla permit includes spending one hour with a given habituated mountain gorilla family. During this one hour, you will be allowed to take still photos as wells simple videos. Please read our dos and don’ts while with mountain gorillas. You will also listen to an informative talk from your guide or the day. Included as well is services of a ranger guide and tourism police to ensure that security in the forest is guaranteed. The ranger from Uganda Wildlife Authority will be carrying a gun probably an AK47 to scare away any stray animal that may misbehave along the way. Park entry fees for Bwindi impenetrable National Park and or Mgahinga national park is also included in the pre-purchased gorilla permits and is valid for 24 hours.

Transport to and from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Eco Adventure Safaris operates a fleet of both Luxury Land cruisers for our high-end clients and Customized safari vans for those who want to spend less but travel comfortably. All our vehicles are 4×4 and are customized for the rough terrain in Africa. They come with drinking water and are driven by well trained and professional local driver guides. We will make sure that your travel with us is comfortable and foots the bill.

Flying to Kigali, Rwanda or Entebbe international Airport, Uganda

You will have an option of flying into Kigali or Entebbe to visit Uganda, Rwanda or Congo for gorilla trekking. Many people prefer flying into Kigali and trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi. The main reason for this is to avoid long drives involved from Entebbe. Check our Uganda safaris from Kigali and get back to us. Those that fly into Entebbe will enjoy a scenic drive that will see you stop at the equator crossing, a chance to have a look at the ankle long-horned cows as well as the rolling hills of Kigezi. Whichever Airport you will use, we will assist in airport transfers as well as the transport to and from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Why Book your Gorilla Tour in Uganda Through Eco Adventure Safaris?

Eco Adventure Safaris has positioned herself as one of the leading tour operators offering authentic and value for money gorilla treks to Bwindi impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Virunga National Park and Volcanoes National Park. We endeavor to provide accurate and timely information that you can rely on to organize Gorilla trekking on New year in Africa. Our staff are always on standby to assist you with all the arrangements, and if you need more information about our service, please visit our website for more information and options about How to end your safari in South Africa with a Gorilla trek in Uganda.